FESTIVAL-GOERS drank around 10,000 pints of beer and cider at the 18th annual Devizes Beer Festival last weekend, when nearly 2,000 revellers descended on The Wharf to enjoy Saturday’s sunshine.

This year’s event, on Saturday 1st July, was hailed another great success with seven live bands playing throughout the day, 99 beers and ciders on tap, and hundreds of drinkers in attendance, with some coming from as far afield as London and Sheffield. Food was provided by the local Guides and Rotary Club.

Festival organiser and chairman of the Devizes Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Don Jones said, “We had great music all day, about 10,000 pints of beer and cider sold and almost 2,000 drinkers come along. It’s the biggest event that’s held at The Wharf and the largest unsubsidised event in the town.

“We hope the festival encourages visitors to Devizes and raises the profile of our campaign for real ale. The day is run by volunteers from Devizes, Chippenham, Swindon and some from London.”

Despite the day’s success, Don says there will be some changes at next year’s festival after disruptive behaviour from people getting drunk on alcohol they brought with them.

He added: “Unfortunately some people are now taking the Mickey, openly drinking spirits and cheap mass-produced lagers. One of the big problems is that these illicit drinkers are beyond our control. We serve drinks, not drunks, and refuse to serve people who've had too much – we’re about responsible drinking.

“The irresponsible few wander into town drunk on their own booze and we get the blame. Devizes Beer Festival is a great event and we want to keep it that way.”

A donation from the festival will go to local care home, Bradbury Manor.